WAYSIDE CHRISTIAN MISSION

Today it was announced that an agreement was reached with Wayside for the sale of roughly 10 buildings for a total of $5 million. As many of you are aware Wayside has been in the news of late due to their want and need of expansion and the unwillingness of the administration to allow them to do so.

Approximately 9 years ago Wayside came up with a plan to expand, one that was agreed upon by the East Downtown Business Association (EDBA). Wayside has been able to put together $4 million since that time and were prepared to expand on their east Market property. When the EDBA finally realized that Wayside could fulfill the agreed upon plan it became a problem.

The EDBA had some legitimate concerns.

Namely historical designation through the landmarks commission. While I generally applaud efforts for historical relevance to many Downtown buildings and areas I simply did not understand the fight for this one.

The dilapidated rundown facilities in question here need to be dealt with. Wayside had agreed to keep the facade of 2 of the buildings in question an option EDBA agreed to as well.

Of course considering that Wayside deals with the problems in our community most do not want to face, like aiding the homeless population that continue to grow in our City, it would appear that the "historical landmark issue" raised by the EDBA was not really the problem.

According to the CJ article http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880626011 the landmark commission was to meet briefly and postpone consideration of the landmarks status.

One question remains:

If it was so important to get the designation then why not go ahead and do it?

Apparently it was only important to get it to stop Wayside.

Either way Wayside will continue to aid the poorest of our community in their traditional way. I hope that someday they will be out of business due to lack of need.

I am sure they will understand that sentiment.

Your thoughts?